Anyone go through what I'm going through now?

[closeanuf]

You could always tell people you are in the middle of a research project for a book you are writing.  It makes no difference if the book is fiction or non fiction, you're writing a book.  (and you sure as hell don't need their approval)  A little fatherly advice:  STOP BEING CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK!  At 70 I can tell you they really don't care; they're just nosey and probably insecure and unhappy with their own lives and don't have the courage to climb out of the hole they have dug for themselves.  Put on your big girl panties and get on with life.

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

Thanks, Closeanuf.

I'm going to a new thread because this one has taken a topic turn. I kept a copy of some of my posts on here in a OneNote file.

Oh, but I should mention that I got sting by at least 4 or 5 bees the other day especially when having to shoo them off my dog. Ended up taking my shirt off because there were bees in it.

I'm glad I have, this little spot for now til rig's done.

I think a lot of the self-conscoiusness came from not wanting to be deemed an unfit "dog parent" because of my choices.

But for the first time since I left my apartment more than a week ago, I feel both happy and content.

I was stressed by all the "false starts," but at least I have a lot of the supplies I need already.

Anyway, I'm going to start a new thread now.

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[Txjaybird]

Hello JuliaAnne,

I've been reading some of your threads and posts for the 1st  time tonight.  Is there a thread/post that describes what vehicle you have and what/how you are building or modifying it to live in/out of?

Two years ago I went from a 1991 4x4 Ford Ranger and a Viking pop up to a 1998 GMC Safari Hightop Conversion van and a 2004 Aliner hard side pop up.  Life happened and I'm still not able to travel although that is still my plan.

Even though I've lived in travel trailers and traveled in TX and OK with them it's still a little daughting to me thinking about that next trip with just myself and my 4 legged navigator Queenie. I intend to keep a S & B of somekind for a while because I may need some surgery and don't want to deal with Q and I in a small trailer with no shower and barely room for a cassete toilet or 5gal bucket to be used with out dragging one in and out of a cabinet or risk tripping over it.   The Aliner is also higer than my other trailers because it has a off road axle raising it up for better ground clearance.

I hope things work out for you and wish you well.

JewellAnn & Queenie, a "Guard Chihuahua"

 

[MrNoodly]

It's funny and unfair that people don't consider full-time RVers homeless. They're lucky wanderers. Yet if you do the exact same thing as RVers but in something other than a big box with swooshy graphics on the side, well, you know how people react. It's about the apparent expenditure of money. Money = respectability.

 

[John61CT]

Yes, and intentionally reducing consumption is confusing and subversive, in many cases outlawed forced to go underground.

The unwillingly poor just pitied, or more likely despised, wanted kept out of site.

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

Hello JuliaAnne,

I've been reading some of your threads and posts for the 1st  time tonight.  Is there a thread/post that describes what vehicle you have and what/how you are building or modifying it to live in/out of?

JewellAnn & Queenie, a "Guard Chihuahua"

There are other posts, but I'm not sure where at the noment. I'll give a summary then provide more details of what I've been up to since about 1.5 months ago:

---->The Summary (Almost as Long As the Detaild Section Now LOL)

For a minute, I thought I was going to stay in my car. But then instead decided to build my own "tiny house" from scratch inspired by recent online videos I watched, especially after telling my mom of my plans and not wanting her to worry I'll freeze to death this winter

I had a trailer in mind, but I missed the chance to buy it by about a day, so instead I started to invest in the supplies to at least plan my build. I was also for a while thinking of buying a used pop-up, too, because some were only $400 or less.

But I decided it would be easier to build it the way I want from scratch including the R30 insulation appropriate for my climate region in it if I build it myself. However, complications arose during which I almost chose to stay in my car while doing my writing work.

I didn't want to work out of my car, though, because it's still been too hot and sunny to keep my dog in there for very long, so I now am taking up temporary residence in a shed/shack attached to my uncle's garage.

--->More details

When first moving out of my apartment and didn't yet have my trailer or hitch, I thought, "I can just build a camper on top of a car and avoid the expense of a trailer and hitch."

But that was a bad idea because I built it just one foot too high (4 feet not 3) because I wanted to be able to sit up in it. I thought the 13-foot highway rule applied to any vehicle, that's why. Oops.

Oh well. I had to in a hurry think of a place to unload my topper. The cops said I could drop it off at a place about four blocks from my old apartment with him following me.

When pushing it off my car, it dissambled into four sections, and now it's stored in someone's garage. But at least I didn't have to throw away about $200 of materials. I only lost maybe about $20 because I no longer had room nor need for a piece of particle board I decided would be too heavy for the roof.

I have one for the floor because the waterproof insulation I have for the walls and roof works quite well -- so I found out during the four days of rain that just would not quit while I was trying to finish my original build.

---->Right Now

For the next 2-3 weeks, I'll be working my tail off to raise money to get the trailer and hitch (had offers for used trailers anywhere from $40 to about $300 from people who just wanted to get rid of them).

I thought about making my own trailer, but I didn't feel I knew enough about making it safe enough for highway driving. Besides, building my microscopic version of a "tiny house" would be enough work though more in line with my experience than building a trailer.

As far as the temp residence right now, I've prepared it for at least a mild wind and rain. It's a part wood/part metal shack attached to a garage that has rust holes in the roof I decided to cover with as much waterproof materials I have for now. It's held down by two cement blocks, three bricks, and some logs -- unless I decide to haul one of my waterproof insulation sheets over here.

The way this temp shack is set up, I bet I could live in this thing til about the end of November if I had to as long as we have no more severe wind storms this fall. It has just enough holes in it to act as ventilation for running Mr. Heater.

Update:

I try to get out of here for a while in the afternoon though because it gets too hot even with the opening closed.





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[Txjaybird]

On You Tube Camper Van Kevin did a interview with a couple living in a tear drop TT that they built from 2 large shipping crates on a trailer from a yard sale.  I think the video was titled Couple living in $500 RV.  I liked it because it was functional and not fancy. I think the video was done in GA and then he ran across them again way out west

I'll see if I can find it again.  I never learned to post links to things so if anyone will do a link for this please do and Thank You.

JewellAnn

 

[Txjaybird]

On You Tube Camper Van Kevin did a interview with a couple living in a tear drop TT that they built from 2 large shipping crates on a trailer from a yard sale.  I think the video was titled Couple living in $500 RV.  I liked it because it was functional and not fancy. 

I googled "Couple living Full Time in $500 RV posted by Camper Van Kevin"  and there it was

Sometimes I amaze mysef 

TJB

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

I googled "Couple living Full Time in $500 RV posted by Camper Van Kevin"  and there it was

Sometimes I amaze mysef 

TJB

LOL You're funny and you even quoted yourself. Wink wink but yeah thanks. I saw another that cost about $700 to make as well, but I'm modifying the plan. Not a big fan of drywall. I'll have to check out this one. I think $500 sounds about right. Kind of what I expected mine to cost to build not counting the power costs.

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[wanderin.pat]

Sometimes when I wake up in the middle of the night in my "rolling closet" , I wonder what the hell I'm doing.  
I've separated myself from what I've considered normal for 64 years.  It's just disorientation , in my case. 
Kind of like waking up and wondering where the hell you are for a second or two.  When I lived in sticks and bricks, I would have to remind myself that Mom and Dad had passed away and that I lived by myself.  

I do not at all miss paying $1300/month for rent!  

What I sometimes miss is :  a sink with hot running water, a toilet and a shower.  I sometimes miss vegging out in front of the TV.  Would I trade?  No.  No way.  In addition, these are luxuries that many people in 3rd world countries DON'T have.  

Oh, and BTW, as nice as some people may be, I would avoid "crashing" at someone's place.  I've had experiences such as you mentioned by people offering to let me park on their land.   And then becoming unpleasant to be around.   

Hope this helps, 

WP

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

Hi just checking in. Sorry been busy taking care of things before it gets too cold. I was making more money when I made the decision to let go of my apartment than I am now, so things are more complicated now. But it should pick up soon. Part of my income drop, however, is that living mobile and camping involves more chores. This transition/preparation period also is time-consuming. I now have to reorganize and clean out my car and shock plus still have other stuff to clear outta my uncle's house & gatage I wanna get rid of (stuff I had in there for years). I can't wait to be done w this transition period.

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[JeffJones]

I do know how you feel. I have been in my van since July 3, 2018 and the first few months I felt list and I had made a huge mistake. 
Then I started thinking and reframed everything.  I was a full time RVer in my custom made class B RV and I travel all over the country, wherever I want to go. Man did it make a difference, just that. Then I realized that I always envied those that could RV full time, wow what that must be like I always told myself and that is what I want to do when I retire. Lol
Well I am kinda retired, I have a camper van, and I live on the road. Bingo, I am not homeless. Homeless is when you have no place of your own to sleep. That's how I look at it. I own my van and I own my bed and pillow, heck I am not homeless, I chose to be a full-time RVer, just like I dreamed all my life. Is this the "RV" I thought I would be in, no, but so what, no debt, no house or rent payment, just DMV, insurance, and gas and upkeep.i will take this any day now. Will I do it forever? I don't know, I may buy a house, mybe not, I may buy a bigger or newer RV, I don't know. Heck I may not be tomorrow? Lol One day at a time.

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

I do know how you feel. I have been in my van since July 3, 2018 and the first few months I felt list and I had made a huge mistake.

I now have to reorganize and clean out my car and shock plus still have other stuff to clear outta my uncle's house & gatage I wanna get rid of (stuff I had in there for years). I can't wait to be done w this transition period.

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Oops forgot to proofread before the 15-min edit window expired --meant to say "reorganize my car and shack" not "shock." And "garage" not "gatage." (Gotta also shut off this autocorrect on this new keyboard app I have.) LOL.

Thanks, Jeff, for sharing. I might be stationary for a while yet in the shack in my uncle's backyard until I'm fully ready. Thought I would have a trailer and/or my "home" ready by now oops.


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[mpruet]

I may have missed it, but what do you hope to obtain by moving out of a sticks and bricks home into a mobile home?  Is it a case where you have to because of financial reasons?  In some of your posts it sounds like you are doing it because you are seeking somthing and not because you have to for financial reasons.  If you are having emotional issues in the process, then maybe this change is not really right for you.  Yes there is always a stress in making any change in your life, but if you are still having difficulty with the transition, then maybe it will not bring resolution to what you are seaking.  Perhaps you need to ask yourself what it is that you hope to get out of this transition.

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

Please try to remember that I don't have a clue who most of ypu are on here, so please just accept that I am simply sharing what I am going through and no longer am going to explain myself to anyone. I am doing all this because I want to. I don't need any other reason than that. I have a hard time respecting people who say things kind of in the form of a question, which comes across as not really a question but rather is a statement made by a total stranger who seems to have me figured out. Unless I either have spoken to you personally or you just read my posts and from those assume you know me and wanna just be the next one blocked by me, please don't.

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[JuliaAnne2018]

I will add, however, that most of you who responded have been great. Thank you. I don't expect everyone to think like me, but I just…idk…some people…just…who are you?!

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[RoamerRV428]

just chat away as you feel fine doing and ignore what might not be of interest in your telling when someone asks

we are like minded individuals who want freedom on the road. Cut those ties that bind so many and like many of us was at one point.

I am transitioning now also. We sold our big farm. Sold off animals. Sold my last horse and we are clearing out our farm equipment and more right now. We are decluttering the house and selling it off or goodwill etc. We are downsizing our life point blank for that time we sell the house and hit the road. This is a few years worth of 'getting ourselves' there in to a position to walk away and not look back. We want forward free roaming adventures in our future with a life pattern as we love and want to make it. Very personal to each of us out there!

many of us are in transition periods now.
some on the road want new rigs and will work to make that happen.
many are fine just where they are in their rigs and lifestyle.
some like me, are just on the cusp of starting a nomadic free lifestyle on the road.

You will be fine. You are working your way thru what works perfect for you. Can't ever go wrong doing just that

 

[John61CT]

Please try to remember that I don't have a clue who most of ypu are on here, so please just accept that I am simply sharing what I am going through and no longer am going to explain myself to anyone. I am doing all this because I want to. I don't need any other reason than that. I have a hard time respecting people who say things kind of in the form of a question, which comes across as not really a question but rather is a statement made by a total stranger who seems to have me figured out. Unless I either have spoken to you personally or you just read my posts and from those assume you know me and wanna just be the next one blocked by me, please don't.

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Yes no need to analyze or criticize others choices.

Including the choice to analyse or criticise others choices.

Just ignore those posts you don't like, trying to modify others' behaviour online is just tilting at windmills, waste of energy.

Including this post maybe, I admit, but just trying to help.

I doubt if anyone minds being blocked by you, feel free if I annoy you.

 

[JuliaAnne2018]

Thanks Roamer, John and others. If I haven't confronted you privately, no need to worry. Most of you who I communicated with at least once I don't have a problem with.

My original plan before my income dropped about a month ago was to keep building of my rig on the down-low until it was done and it was ready to go. And I probably woulda been done by now and not had to involve amyone, especially anyonebwho may have strong opinions against my plans.

Other stuff went wrong too such as I damaged a tablet PC cord and part of a screen on my other laptop. I figured out how to do work on my phone though w a new keyboard app I bought.

Amyway, I guess last night one person's reply set me off. This thought crossed my mind:

I get enough grief from people on the outside. I don't need it from people here, too. But it doesn't happen a lot. Only once in a while.

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[RoamerRV428]

ahh, you are good to go, just remember to focus on what makes ya happy and leave the junk by the wayside and don't give junk another thought

many here have your back cause we are all wanting that same freedom anyway shape or form we can get it!! And we are all such individuals with a quirk that want this road travel freedom so much that a lot of us are of like minds, but hey, at times we can't all fit into that mold!

rock on JuliaAnne, you got this!